7 July 2007

Got to bed a bit late last night, but figured it didn't matter--I wouldn't be getting up until 5. So of course I woke up at 0420 and pretended to sleep until 5.

I tried out my new-ish plastic/ceramic coffee grinder--the grinds may be a bit evener, but it's a pain to hold the stupid thing.

I left the motel at 0731 and headed up 395, worried about deer, since this was the general area I hit one with my last bike in 2001. Saw two nice bucks in plenty of time to slow down while they decided whether or not to cross the road; eventually they did. Later in the day I was surprised by a doe; I'd been nodding, and saw her in time to panic, but she was never a threat.

Ran into a bunch of smoke (but now can't remember where--I think it was before Susanville). I was afraid the road might be closed, but no worries. The day was much cooler than yesterday, with a couple of hot spots--none bad enough that I needed a wet towel. In fact, when I stopped the first time for gas in Susanville, I didn't even take off my helmet, or feel the need to use the bathroom (which may mean that I'm still dehydrated).

When I crossed into Oregon, the speed limit dropped by 10, and my speed dropped by 15 (to ~5 over posted)--I don't want a ticket, and I'm not sure how much of a break they give. It made the rest of the day seem to take forever, though. And my butt is sore, even with trying out the wood bead seat cover.

I got to Madras, and drove around a bit looking for the right combination of motel / groceries, but none were close together. Picked the Budget Inn ($66), as it advertised Wi-Fi, then hiked up to the grocery store, where I spent $12.

States: California, Nevada, Oregon.
513 GPS miles (1020 total), 61.1 moving average,  87.9 max.
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